By IANS,
Shimla : The Himachal Pradesh government that has been drawing flak for relaxing norms to allow realtors set up housing complexes across the state Wednesday announced the constitution of an assembly committee to look into the affair.
In a statement in reference to a question in the assembly, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said a committee of legislators would be constituted to review the Himachal Pradesh Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 2005.
“If the apartment act requires some amendments (to check the builders), the committee would make suggestions,” he said.
“It will examine whether the state requires the act or not. It will also study whether proper procedure was followed by the government while issuing the essentiality certificates to the builders. It will review all permissions granted till March 31,” the chief minister said.
“If any illegality while issuing the essentiality certificate is noted, a judicial inquiry would be conducted,” he said.
In a written reply to another question of opposition Congress members G.S. Bali and Kuldeep Singh Pathania, the house was informed that eight private builders, including Bemloe Development and Infrastructure Company Ltd, were given permission between January 2010 and January 2011.
Bamloe Development is building 24 flats in Shimla. Proceedings of the assembly were disrupted March 18 by the Congress over Bemloe Development felling trees in a forested areas here.
Congress member Mukesh Agnihotri said Bemloe Development, a sister concern of Delhi-based DLF Universal Ltd, recklessly axed a number of trees overnight.
He also questioned the government on the permission granted to another coloniser, Karnal-based Optima Construction Private Ltd, for setting up a housing project in picturesque resort of Kasauli in Solan district.
“In both the projects, thousands of trees were axed,” Agnihotri alleged.
Under Himachal Pradesh land laws, only the state’s permanent residents can buy land in the state. Others who want to purchase land for non-agricultural purposes have to seek relaxation from the state government under Section 118 of the Tenancy and Land Reforms Act.